Coastal Christmas Flotilla features 21 holiday-decorated boats

December opens with a flurry of holiday events today in the New Bern. The highlights include events ranging from a Christmas craft shows and special concerts to parades, Santa sightings, holiday fundraisers and an evening-ending Coastal Christmas Parade, featuring 21 festively-decorated boats passing along the New Bern waterfront.

December opens with a flurry of holiday events today in the New Bern. The highlights include events ranging from a Christmas craft shows and special concerts to parades, Santa sightings, holiday fundraisers and an evening-ending Coastal Christmas Parade, featuring 21 festively-decorated boats passing along the New Bern waterfront.

The 28th annual parade of boats begins at the Eastern Carolina Yacht Club on the Trent River and should begin making their way past the New Bern waterfront on the Neuse River about 6 p.m. Santa will be at Union Point Park afterward to greet the children.

The New Bern Yacht Club will lead the possession with seven boats that will not be included in the annual judging — Best Overall Sailboat and Best Overall Powerboat. Each category competes for a large trophy which is passed from winner-to-winner each year.

Three Beautiful Daughters, 42-foot power boat, with five connector boats, captained by Jim Ward. Theme, “Rudolph and BSA Lead the Way to Santa’s Sleigh.” Entry by Neuse Basin District of East Carolina Boy Scouts. Lights, thousands. Hours to decorate, 500. Crew includes Troops 584, 13 and volunteers.